Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rates Understanding marginal and effective tax rates are important for tax planning purposes; however, many taxpayers don’t fully understand the differences. Let’s take a closer look: Marginal Tax Rate The United States has a progressive tax system. The more money you earn, the higher your tax rate is and the more…
E-Signatures Extended for Many Tax Forms To help reduce the burden to taxpayers brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the use of electronic or digital signatures on certain paper forms they normally cannot file electronically has been extended through December 31, 2021. Let’s take a look at what this means for taxpayers: Types of acceptable…
If You Receive an IRS Letter or Notice The IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers for a variety of reasons. Many of these letters and notices can be dealt with without calling or visiting an IRS office. Here’s what you need to know about IRS notices and letters: Reasons You Might Receive…
Use These Strategies To Pass on Wealth to Heirs Individuals with significant assets should take advantage of proven tax strategies such as gifting and direct payments to educational institutions to transfer wealth to heirs tax-free, as well as minimize estate taxes. Additional opportunities are available as well, thanks to low-interest rates and a volatile stock…
Gross Receipts Safe Harbor for Employers Claiming ERC Safe harbor is now available that allows employers to exclude certain items from their gross receipts solely for determining eligibility for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). These amounts are: The amount of the forgiveness of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan; Shuttered Venue Operators Grants under the…
Reminder: Protect Yourself From Scammers Understanding how the IRS communicates can help taxpayers protect themselves from scammers who pretend to be from the IRS with the goal of stealing personal information. For example, the IRS typically does not call a taxpayer, but if the IRS does call, it should not be a surprise because the…
Extension Deadline Looming for 2020 Tax Returns Time is running short for taxpayers who requested an extra six months to file their 2020 tax return. As a reminder, Friday, October 15, 2021, is the extension deadline for most taxpayers. Taxpayers who owe tax – even those who did not request an extension – and have…
Tax Relief for Those Affected by Natural Disasters Recovery efforts after natural disasters can be costly. With floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters affecting so many people throughout the U.S. this year, many have been left wondering how they’re going to pay for the cleanup or when their businesses will be able to…
If you’re looking to sell your home this year, then it may be time to take a closer look at the exclusion rules and cost basis of your home to reduce your taxable gain on the sale of a home. The IRS home sale exclusion rule allows an exclusion of gain up to $250,000 for…
An important part of tax planning is keeping good records. Having an organized recordkeeping system makes it easier to file a tax return or understand a letter from the IRS. Here are some tips: Good Recordkeeping Helps Taxpayers: Identify sources of income. Taxpayers may receive money or property from a variety of sources. The records can…